Address Communication and Key Working Relationships Internal Hospital doctors Medical Examiners Service managers, nurses, clinical governance leads, infection control, Spiritual care team and mortuary staff. External HM Coroner and officers Spiritual/Faith community leads Registrars of births and deaths GPs and practice staff Bereaved relatives, carers and executors/solicitors. Funeral Directors National Medical Examiner Regional leads for ME system Talking over the phone and meeting face to face with relatives of deceased patients. Making an initial assessment of bereavement needs in an empathetic manner, communicate with relatives sensitive clinical information in a way that takes into account their level of understanding and any barriers that may have an impact on the individual receiving and understanding of the information on a frequent daily basis.
Assess the bereavement needs of relatives for initial and ongoing emotional & practical support. Where appropriate establish, in a sensitive manner, any pre-existing bereavement issues and or mental illness, such as depression or anxiety states. Using clinical judgement and professional knowledge to provide emotional support to bereaved people who are in crisis. Signpost to internal or external agencies for ongoing practical & emotional support or counselling as necessary.
Liaise with the family regarding appointments with the Bereavement Office and Registration of the death. Communicate information to the family regarding registering the death, choosing a Funeral Director, an appointment with Bereavement Support, and other information pertaining to bereavement and practicalities surrounding it. Where necessary ensure the family are made aware of the procedure and purpose of a Coroners Postmortem. Please see the job description for full details.
